How to Apply to Biology at RMIT University: Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Are Majors in the Bachelor of Science (BP350), With a Separate Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231) at Bundoora, Both With a Guaranteed ATAR of 70, and Entry and Prerequisite Requirements for Australian, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

RMIT University (RMIT) is in Melbourne, Australia. The “Biotechnology and biological sciences” study-area page says students can focus on the major biological sciences or specialise in biotechnology fields such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetics and proteomics, with industry-based training and well-equipped laboratories. At undergraduate level there are two main routes to biology: the Biological Sciences and Biotechnology majors in the Bachelor of Science (BP350), and the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231). This guide sets out the key points for 2027 entry for Australian applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Degrees and areas of study

• Bachelor of Science (BP350): City Campus in Melbourne, full-time 3 years or part-time 6 years, CRICOS 110982H; international students can study full-time only. Every student starts with four Foundations of Science subjects (physical sciences in action, the world of life science, data for a scientific world, and a mathematical or calculus toolbox) and chooses a major after the first semester. The degree is 24 subjects in total and the major appears on the testamur.
• Biological Sciences major: studies life from molecules and metabolism to cells, genes, organisms, populations and ecosystems. Major subjects include Cell biology and biochemistry, Plant and animal biology, Genetics and molecular biology, Microbiology and immunology, Plant diversity, Animal diversity, Immunology, Ecology and conservation, and an Applied science project. Two advanced minors are available: Environmental biology and ecosystems, and Biotechnology. Career roles named on the page include conservation scientist, biomedical researcher, zoologist, geneticist, laboratory technician, river ecologist, botanist, park ranger and policy adviser.
• Biotechnology major: subjects include Cell biology and biochemistry, Plant and animal biology, Genetics and molecular biology, Microbiology and immunology, Genomics and gene technologies, Proteomics and designer proteins, Environmental and industrial biotechnology, Medical biotechnology and an Applied science project. Two advanced minors are available: Molecular biotechnology, and Biodiversity and ecology.
• Single and double major: a single major is eight major subjects plus an advanced minor linked to the major and a generalist minor (or science subjects of your choice); a double major is eight subjects in each of two majors. The website lists Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Mathematics and Nutrition Science as majors that can be combined in a double major with Biological Sciences or Biotechnology.
• Third-year capstone: a work-integrated learning (WIL) capstone working on projects of interest to industry under a professional scientist, possibly in industry or an external laboratory; biology majors complete two science projects. The Biological Sciences major page mentions past field trips (for example coral reef surveys at Lizard Island and in Fiji); whether they run each year is not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Accreditation: the website says graduates completing the Biological Sciences or Biotechnology major are eligible for membership of the Australian Society of Microbiology (ASM) and the Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231): Bundoora Campus, full-time 3 years or part-time 6 years, CRICOS 110985E; international students can study full-time only. Core subjects cover cell biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, immunology and pathology: year one covers cell biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and human anatomy and physiology; year two covers genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology and toxicology and the mechanisms of disease, plus a minor; year three has a capstone and work-integrated learning (Precision Medicine and a Research Project for Medical Sciences). Minors are Medical biotechnology and Clinical health and disease. The page says many graduates go on to postgraduate study in medicine, physiotherapy, dentistry and other health fields, or to honours. Societies whose membership graduates may be eligible for include ASMR, ASCEPT, MEPSA, ASBMB, TSANZ and ANS.
• The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Osteopathy), pharmaceutical sciences, laboratory medicine, nutrition science and food science are neighbouring fields, and nursing, pharmacy and similar fields are outside this guide; see the website.

2. Australian applicants

• Entry score: for the Bachelor of Science (BP350) the 2027 Guaranteed ATAR is 70.00 and the 2026 lowest ATAR to receive an offer (including adjustments) was 70.00; for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231) the 2027 Guaranteed ATAR is 70.00 and the 2026 figure was 70.30. The course page says that for Semester 1, 2027 applicants the course has a Guaranteed ATAR (excluding adjustment factors): if you reach it and meet the prerequisites, an offer is guaranteed; below it you may still receive an offer depending on places and adjustment factors. For VTAC applicants, the course must be your highest eligible preference.
• Prerequisites: Bachelor of Science (BP350): VCE Units 3 and 4 with at least 25 in English (other than EAL) or 27 in EAL, and at least 20 in one of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, or equivalent studies. Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231): the same English score, at least 20 in one of those mathematics subjects or Physics, and at least 20 in Biology or Chemistry, or equivalent studies. The Bachelor of Science page lists no separate high school biology prerequisite, and the Biological Sciences and Biotechnology major pages state none; confirm with admissions.
• Adjustment factors: the website says adjustment factors (equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments) total a maximum of 28 aggregate points. The Bachelor of Science page says: a study score of 25 in any Information Technology, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics or any Science subject gives 2 points per study, to a maximum of 8; RMIT automatically allocates adjustments to applicants from low socio-economic areas, and there are equity access schemes, an elite athlete and performer program and an Indigenous access program. The adjustment details on the Biomedical Science page are not given on the pages used for this guide; see that course page.
• Other routes: applicants with vocational study are given a selection rank by highest completed qualification: Advanced Diploma 81, Diploma 72, Certificate IV 54; the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) can be used and is converted to an equivalent ATAR; applicants with higher education study are ranked by GPA. Work and life experience gives no additional consideration.
• How and when to apply: the website says VTAC applications and direct applications to RMIT both opened on 3 August 2026; undergraduate degrees start in March 2027; Semester 2 (midyear) applications go direct to RMIT and open in March 2027. Whether a course needs VTAC is shown by the “Apply” button on the course page.
• Fees: the maximum 2027 student contribution for commencing Commonwealth supported places, per standard full-time year, is AUD 4,908 for the band including Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing and languages; AUD 9,880 for the band including Engineering, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology; AUD 14,046 for Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science; and AUD 18,025 for Law, Accounting, Commerce and similar. Fees are set per subject band, not per degree. The 2027 maximum Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is AUD 386. HECS-HELP can defer payment.

3. International applicants

• How to apply: the website says international applicants can apply directly through the RMIT Application Portal or with an RMIT-authorised agent; applicants with an Australian Year 12 (in Australia or overseas) or an International Baccalaureate (in Australia or New Zealand) may need to apply through VTAC, as the course page shows. Applicants from some countries pay an application fee, and RMIT strongly encourages them to apply through an authorised agent. For a student visa, the application page says to apply and accept the offer at least 4 to 8 weeks before the start date, while the intakes page says at least 4 weeks. The two statements differ; follow the course page and your offer.
• Intakes: the course page lists the next intakes as February and July; the intakes page says Semester 1 classes start in March and Semester 2 in mid-July. Which courses open in which semester is shown by the “Apply” button on the course page. International student visa holders can only study full-time.
• Academic requirement: the course page says you need a qualification RMIT recognises as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 65%; meeting the minimum does not guarantee entry. Equivalent qualifications may include RMIT Foundation Studies or a recognised post-secondary diploma. No selection task is required.
• English: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 79 overall (Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18, Writing 21); PTE Academic 58 with no communication band below 50; Cambridge English: Advanced 176 with no component below 169. At-home or online test scores are not accepted. If you fall short, RMIT UP offers English language pathways.
• 2027 tuition: the Bachelor of Science (BP350) shows an international fee of AUD 45,120 (2027 annual) and the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP231) AUD 47,040 (2027 annual), both full-time 3 years; this guide does not add up totals. The website says international fees are adjusted each calendar year, by no more than 7.5% (subject to rounding, so the actual rise may be slightly higher); tuition excludes the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and materials fees, is quoted in Australian dollars and applies to RMIT’s Australian campuses only.
• Scholarships: RMIT says it awards more than 2000 scholarships a year, and the international scholarships page groups scholarships for commencing students by region (including Southeast Asia, India and the subcontinent, and China). Whether one is assessed automatically depends on the scholarship. Whether a scholarship is specific to the Bachelor of Science (Biology) is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the scholarships page.
• Visa and Genuine Student statement: the application pages list guidance on the student visa, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and the Genuine Student statement; see the website for details.

4. Applicants from China

• How the gaokao is used: the country and region equivalency page has a table for China that maps RMIT’s “Australian standard” average to Chinese results. For bachelor degrees, the Australian standard of 65% (the minimum average on the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science course pages) corresponds to an average of 75% in Gao San (Senior Middle 3), or 441 in the gaokao (NCEE) for Beijing candidates. The table states that gaokao scores apply to Beijing municipality only and that other provinces should contact RMIT International.
• Foundation and Fast Track: in the same table, RMIT Foundation Studies requires a minimum average of 60% in Gao Er (Senior Middle 2) or 50% in Gao San; University Pathways Fast Track requires 75% in Gao Er or 60% in Gao San. Foundation Studies is a one-year full-time program with streams including Engineering and Science and Health, with a 2027 total fee of AUD 34,250. How each stream links to the Biology degree is not given on the pages used for this guide; see the Foundation Studies page.
• Prerequisite subjects: the international course page of the Bachelor of Science lists VCE Units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 20 in one of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, or equivalent studies; the Bachelor of Biomedical Science additionally requires at least 20 in one of those mathematics subjects or Physics, and at least 20 in Biology or Chemistry, or equivalent studies. How Chinese curricula map to these subjects is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask RMIT International.
• Scholarship for Chinese students: the international scholarships page lists the Undergraduate Pathway Scholarship for China, a 20% tuition reduction for students from China in a bachelor program packaged with ELICOS, Foundation Studies or Fast Track, a vocational program or an Associate Degree. It also lists others by name, such as the Medibank International ATAR (Greater China Region) Scholarship; see the website for conditions.
• Interviews, accrediting bodies for school documents and the exact document checklist: not given on the pages used for this guide; check the “documents required” page or contact admissions.

5. Transfer students and credit

• Applicants with higher education study: the course page says applicants are ranked on academic results such as GPA; you must have satisfactorily completed at least four graded courses (0.5 EFTSL) at Australian undergraduate level or the overseas equivalent, and a selection score comparable to an ATAR is assigned from your GPA. Previous fail grades may affect eligibility, and applicants excluded for academic progress or with fails must submit a personal statement.
• Credit: the transfer FAQ says international students should apply for credit as early as possible, preferably during the application, because it can affect the duration of the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE); tick the credit question and upload detailed course outlines. To graduate you must complete at least 96 credit points or 50% of the program at RMIT, whichever is less. Credit is for the same or equivalent competencies; depending on which subjects are credited, duration and total cost can fall, and the course page warns that credit may reduce the choice of majors and minors.
• Associate degree pathway: the course page says completing the Associate Degree in Applied Science (AD012P24, Science option) guarantees entry to the Bachelor of Science with 48 to 144 credit points (one to three semesters), depending on your majors and minors and confirmed at enrolment. Entry from RMIT Foundation Studies or vocational study courses is also possible.
• How many specific Biology subjects your earlier results would exempt: not given on the pages used for this guide; submit course outlines for assessment.

6. Checklist before you apply

• On the relevant RMIT course page, check entry requirements (international and local versions), prerequisite subjects, CRICOS code, intake and fees.
• Confirm your application route (VTAC or direct to RMIT); international applicants should check that English scores are valid and not from at-home tests.
• Where a page prints a date without a year, check that it applies to 2027 entry.

Sources: RMIT University, Science; Biotechnology and biological sciences; Bachelor of Science BP350; Biological Sciences major; Biotechnology major; Bachelor of Biomedical Science BP231; International applications; Country equivalency; English requirements; International fees; Intakes; International scholarships; Transfer and credit; Local application dates; Foundation Studies. Information is for 2027 entry. Check RMIT University for the latest details.